You know the old saying about how you shouldn’t pray for patience because God will put you in situations that help develop it? I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. Not just about praying for patience. Though I think you should pray about everything and nothing. Just pray to be close to God because you can and that’s enough. I’ve been thinking about things that take time to develop.
Here’s the thing, we’re cheating ourselves because we’re checking out too early. We’re giving up before allowing God to get us ready. We’ve conditioned ourselves to the drive-thru mentality. If it isn’t ready as soon as we ask for it then forget it. I want what I want right now.
The problem is that most good stuff doesn’t work that way. God doesn’t work that way. Flowers need time to bloom. Food needs time to grow. Babies need time to learn to walk and talk. An education takes years to build. I was thinking about the things that mean the absolute most to me. Health, love, friendship, faith, trust among them. Do you see a common thread among these? They take time.
We must put in some work and go through some hard days for many of those benefits to pay off. One day of exercise or a good diet will not make us fit and healthy. We might think we love someone after one look, but we can’t begin to understand the depths of love until we go through some ups and downs. The same applies to friendship. It’s unlikely we’ll have coffee with someone and immediately be best friends. Friendship is built like a house – one brick at a time. It takes a lot of shared experiences, laughter, and tears over an extended period. Such valuable gifts take time and sacrifice to develop. Even if there is an instant connection, real relationship takes time.
Faith and trust are built much the same way. Piece by painstaking piece. Patience is required. So many things that are lasting don’t come with shortcuts and instant versions. There is no instafaith or instatrust. We must go through things to build these. That takes time, and just like we can’t slow down time neither can we speed it up. Trust and faith in God grow when we look back and see the ways He has been faithful. But we will never build these without patience.
As I was pondering some of the many Biblical examples of patience and of God slowing people down (there are many) my mind went to Jesus’ first miracle. That was when He turned the water into wine at the wedding feast (John Chapter 2). When His mother says they have no wine, Jesus says, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” I can’t help but think about Jesus waiting and preparing for God’s timing. That statement implies that there was a correct time. Even Jesus had to wait on God’s timing.
It’s not easy to wait for the right time. It’s not easy to wait for suffering to pass or good things to come. It’s not a quick process to establish lasting relationships. It’s not easy to build faith, trust, and patience because they mean delays and waiting. However, they are rich with reward. Like the taste of a perfectly ripened piece of fruit, the sheer joy of seeing a child finally understand something they’ve struggled with or the utter relief of a friend coming through when you needed her most. Even more, though, is being able to see your own faith increase as you see God keep His promises.
Friends I know you’re tired. I am, too. Tired of waiting for things to get better. Tired of not knowing. Tired of being hurt. Tired of being anxious. Tired of searching for your purpose, your person, or your tribe of people to do life with. Weary of fighting the same battles and wondering why so much has to be so difficult. Tired of waiting on God to answer and feeling like He isn’t listening. I don’t know how to make it easier, but I do know that it will always be worth the wait. Hang on. Good stuff takes time.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14.
Comments
Love that last scripture!!!! Ps 27 is KEY! wonderful reminder! thank you!!